Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction (or a combination
of these) to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to
both sexes, or more than one gender. Sexual orientation is about who you’re attracted
to and who you feel drawn to romantically, emotionally, and sexually.

Sexual Orientation discrimination involves treating an applicant or employee less
favorably or harassing an applicant or employee because of his or her sexual orientation.
The law prohibits sex discrimination based on sexual orientation. USF’s equal opportunity
policies explicitly prohibit discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation.

While Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not explicitly include sexual
orientation in its list of protected bases, Supreme Court case law holding that employment
actions motivated by gender stereotyping are unlawful sex discrimination. Also, other
court decisions interpret the statute's sex discrimination provision as prohibiting
discrimination against employees on the basis of sexual orientation.

Sexual Orientation & Work Situations

The law forbids discrimination in any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing,
pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, benefits, and any other term or
condition of employment.

Discrimination can include but is not limited to failing to hire an applicant, firing
an employee, denying an employee a promotion or providing a lower salary to an employee
because of his or her sexual orientation.

Sexual Orientation & Harassment

It is unlawful to harass a person because of that person’s sexual orientation. Harassment
can include using, for example, derogatory terms, sexually oriented comments, or disparaging
remarks for associating with a person of the same or opposite sex.